Sudan’s Northern State reports over 600 dengue cases, four deaths
March 7, 2026 (DONGOLA) – The Sudan Doctors’ Preliminary Committee revealed on Saturday that more than 600 cases of dengue fever have been recorded in Northern State, raising concerns over a widening outbreak amid a critical shortage of medicines.
The state has seen a surge in mosquito-borne illnesses in recent weeks, prompting local authorities to intensify awareness campaigns and epidemiological surveillance to curb the spread.
Adiba Ibrahim El-Sayed, an internal medicine and epidemiology specialist and committee member, told Sudan Tribune that 679 cases of dengue fever were recently recorded in the Merowe and Ed Debba localities, including four deaths.
She noted that Merowe recorded 159 cases, while approximately 250 cases were identified in displacement camps in Ed Debba, where all four fatalities occurred.
Dengue fever is a viral infection transmitted by mosquito bites that spreads rapidly in tropical and subtropical regions. Infected individuals typically suffer from high fever, body aches, muscle pain, vomiting, exhaustion, and rashes, while severe cases can lead to dangerous drops in blood pressure and respiratory distress.
El-Sayed warned that health conditions in Sudan are steadily deteriorating, with malaria rates also climbing across most states due to weakened health services.
Many areas lack basic medical care and suffer from poor environmental sanitation and a proliferation of pollutants, which has contributed to widespread outbreaks alongside a severe lack of life-saving drugs.
The specialist confirmed that these epidemics have spread to other regions, including White Nile State. In the Al-Malhiya area near the city of Ed Dueim and surrounding villages, malaria cases have reached nearly 1,000, while 125 cases of dengue fever have been reported.
Sudan’s healthcare system continues to face massive challenges as conflict and road closures hinder the delivery of medical supplies and disrupt prevention and monitoring programs.